Prince Harry admitted in his memoir, The Spare Wheel, that he used drugs in his youth, which sparked mixed reactions and an interesting debate. Some argue that members of the British royal family should be expelled from the United States, while others believe that American celebrities openly discuss their drug use without facing the same backlash.
After Prince Harry revealed details of his previous drug use in The Spare Wheel, the Right-Wing Heritage Foundation demanded that his U.S. visa records be made public. The group wants Prince Harry to be "kicked out" of the United States after his confession.
However, critics argue that the requirement makes little sense given that the government may not issue private visa documents to any individual with a history of drug use, whether celebrity or not. It was unclear whether Prince Harry held a diplomatic passport as a member of the royal family. If so, the United States is unlikely to take actions against him that could damage US-British relations.
Those who criticize the Heritage Foundation's stance also point out that many American celebrities have publicly admitted to drug use but have not been deported or even affected. For example, rappers like The Weeknd and Drake have discussed their drug histories without significant impact.
By contrast, British singer Amy Winehouse was denied entry for substance abuse while attending the Grammys in 2008. Her visa application was denied and she was therefore unable to perform at the event.
Some believe there is such a double standard because Amy Winehouse is a normal person and Prince Harry enjoys blue-blooded privileges as a member of the British royal family.
Prince Harry's supporters argue that his situation is very different. His visa record may be protected by an exemption from the Freedom of Information Act that "protects information that clearly constitutes an unwarranted breach of an individual's privacy."
As the spouse of a member of the royal family and U.S. citizen Meghan Markle, Prince Harry's situation is also quite unique. Deporting or barring him from entering the United States could be seen as diplomatic contempt for Britain and its monarchy.
However, there are also those who believe that if Prince Harry is an exception because of his status, it will weaken the strict drug policy of the United States. They insist that Prince Harry should not receive special treatment and should face consequences for breaking the law like any ordinary person. The Heritage Foundation's monitoring program seeks to determine whether Prince Harry received preferential treatment when he was granted a U.S. visa.
Some have compared the public's reaction to Prince Harry's drug abuse to the experiences of celebrities such as The Weeknd. Canadian-born R&B singer Weeknds speaks openly about smoking marijuana, ecstasy, ketamine, mushrooms and cocaine in his music. However, there was no movement calling for his deportation or revocation of his U.S. visa.
However, it has also been pointed out that the Wicken has not actually disclosed illegal drug use since becoming a legal resident of the United States. He used to mention that the use of drugs was an artist's creative license. Prince Harry, on the other hand, admitted to illegality in a book published after he moved to California.
Another famous rapper, Drake, also told about his drug trade and use history in the rap. His hits "The Motto" and "Nice for What" mention marijuana, ecstasy, mushrooms and cocaine. Although Drake is a citizen of Canada and the United States, he primarily resides in Canada.
However, he travels and tours the United States frequently, and there is no indication that his visa or entry has ever been restricted because his music involves drugs.
Amy Winehouse's experience is the opposite. Although her Grammy show was canceled in 2008, she was eventually admitted to the United States later that year, appearing on shows such as The Jay Reynolds Tonight Show and The David Letterman Late Night Show.
However, her ongoing battle with drugs and alcohol led to further rejection of visa applications until her death in 2011 at the age of 27. Winehouse's case highlights border authorities' control over who can enter the country, regardless of their reputation or status.
Critics of Prince Harry argue that his royal status should not absolve him of responsibility for past illegal acts. However, supporters counter that his situation is delicate given his marriage to Meghan Markle and his role in the British royal family.
Expulsion or banning him may do more harm than good diplomatically. While Americans demand fair treatment under the law, there will inevitably be exceptions, such as public figures and those with ties to those in power.
It is unclear what the final outcome of Prince Harry's visa and admission to drug use will ultimately lead. The discussion around Prince Harry's responsibilities will unfold in the coming months and it will be a complex debate.
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